The Les Paul Foundation this week announced a series of grants to arts and music education programs. The foundation, created by the legendary late guitarist who is credited with inventing multi-track recording, was founded by Paul "as a means to encourage young people to pursue their curiosity and innovation about music, sound and engineering."
Recipients include Memphis' Blues Foundation and Soulsville Foundation/Stax Music Academy, New York's Queens Center For the Performing Arts, the Wisconsin Foundation of School Music, along with the Birch Creek Music Performance Center in Door County, Wisc and Discovery World in Milwaukee. Paul, who died in 2009, was a native of Waukesha, Wisc.
“Les Paul always encouraged youth to learn about music and to be innovative so the world would become a better place. The organizations we support help perpetuate his philosophies and ideas,” Michael Braunstein, Executive Director of the Les Paul Foundation, said in a statement. “We are pleased to fulfill Les Paul’s legacy by supporting these programs that continue to reflect his values.”
